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BEAUNE - COTE d'OR BURGUNDY
Capital of Bourgogne Wine and Old Virgins

Beaune is the center of the Burgundy Cote d’Or region or the Hautes Cotes. Distinctive of the city and throughout Burgundy can be seen a particular roof style of multicolored tiles and the origination of the style can be found in Beaune, most notably at the famed Hotel-Dieu in the town's center. Sometimes called the wine capital of the region, Cote d'Or region, Beaune is surrounded by small villages which bear the names of now famous wines. The cellars of the Chateau of Meursault holds about 800,000 bottles. Maison Louis Jadot one of the larger producers since the 1850's lists almost 150 labels from it's vineyards. Beaune is about 40 minutes south of Dijon. In Beaune, sometimes called the wine capital of the region is dotted with wine shops where you can stop of a sip, or for a concentrated tasting experience, at the Marché aux Vins (Wine Market) of candlelit caves in Rue Nicolas Rolin, you can purchase a souvenir tasting cup and have forty-five minutes to sample the varieties from many of the local vineyards. If you buy something they'll let to keep on tasting. The Burgundy Wine Museum (Musee de la Vigne et du Vin) can be found in an elegant former manse of the Dukes of Burgundy, where you can see winemaking technology through the centuries and learn of the wine history of the area along the Route des Grand Crus, a country road which parallels the main highway from Dijon to Macon (see Route Grand Crus: Chateau Marsannay).

Though Dijon is more famous for its mustard, Beaune has the Moutarderie (Mustard Museum) which you can tour a modern facility located in a Napoleonic era building, dedicated to the science and history of the spicy condiment. Or if you'd rather just taste it, get a sandwich at one of many quaint sidewalk shops in the old town and then stroll the medieval ramparts. For the family, kids and adults interested in medieval life, the Archeodrome de Bourgogne at Merceuil, a sort of archeological Disneyland with life size replicas and audio-visual displays of the history of the middle-ages is about 20 minutes away.

For tours of the local wineries check with the tourist office. You can also save a little by getting a "Beaune Burgundy Pass" which allows entry into thirty historic and tourist venues in the area with one ticket.

Central Bargain Hotels in Beune Mercure Beaune Centre and Ibis Beaune Centre

The Hotel-Dieu at the Hospices de Beaune is one of the best preserved examples of medieval architecture in Europe. Built in 1443 by Philippe-le-Bon (Philip the Fair) Duke of Burgundy as a hospital and home for the poor following the Hundred Years War and the devastaions of the Black Plague. The Great Hall is 50 meters long originally built to house patients. The most familiar art work is the multi-paneled “Last Judgement” by Flemish artist Roger Van der Weyden. Though the historic buildings of the Hospices de Beaune are a museum for visitors, it is still an active hosptial. The Hospice de Beaune owns a large amount of the vineyards in the area, and in support of its charity work, holds one of the largest wine auctions in France, hosted by Christies, on the 3rd Sunday of every November. In July the city hosts the prestigious International Festival of Baroque Opera.

Black Madonna and the Notre Dame de Beaune

At the old Romanesque era church Collégiale Notre Dame de Beaune a few blocks from the Hotel-Dieu. along with beautiful medieval tapestries and a cloistered monks courtyard you can find the “Vierge Noire” an example of the “Black Madonna” resting in her bower over-looking the nave. So-named because they are either painted in dark colors or carved of dark wood, Black Madonnas are images of the Virgin Mary usually holding infant Jesus, but apparently said to represent the ties to the older (pagan) earth mother. There is another connection to the Black Virgins and to the St. Bernard miracle in Chatillon-sur-Siene north of Dijon (see A Saint, A Chanteuse and an Emperor).

Beaune is a stop on the TGV rail line about 2 hours from Paris and just off the A6 autoroute from Paris to Lyon. The nearest airport is at Dijon. Follow the wine road from Dijon to Beaune along the wine road the or train. There are a variety of hotels and wine region B&B’s throughout Burgundy. © Bargain Travel Europe

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SEE ALSO:

TOURNUS ABBEY
Wine and Architecture in Southern Burgundy

WHITE WINE AND BEER SAUSAGE
The Wine Road of Northern Alsace

WINE AND WURST
Bad Durkheim and the German Wine Road

SWEET TOOTH ON THE RUN
OO-so Delicious Strasbourg

CHATEAU DE POMMARD
Wine Chateau on the Route des Grand Vins Bourgogne

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